GEORGE TOWN — The gazettement of the Middle Bank seagrass meadow in the Penang Strait can proceed alongside surrounding development projects, marine biologist Professor Datuk Aileen Tan Shau Hwai has said, after the state government’s suggestion that the process should wait until those projects are completed.
Tan argued that responsible and accountable development must go hand-in-hand with environmental protection, and gazetting the seagrass bed would help ensure this balance.
She also warned that any delay, while seemingly practical on paper, poses a serious ecological risk given the current stress on the ecosystem.
“During the 2023–2024 heatwave, we recorded worrying declines in seagrass cover and signs of physiological stress—strong indicators that the ecosystem is nearing a tipping point,” she told Scoop.
“We must act while there is still time. Delays increase the risk of irreversible loss.”
Tan was responding to state Housing and Environment executive councillor Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo, who said Penang has no objection to gazetting Middle Bank as a marine sanctuary, with the necessary paperwork already prepared.
However, he added that the process would only proceed after the completion of nearby development projects.
Separately, Local Government and Town and Country Planning executive councillor Jason H’ng Mooi Lye said designating Middle Bank as an environmentally sensitive area would trigger stricter regulations.
These include the requirement for a Second Schedule Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for any development within a 500-metre radius—affecting projects such as the planned Penang Port expansion.
‘Middle Bank can’t wait’
Asked whether Middle Bank could withstand the pressure from surrounding projects in the meantime, Tan said this was highly unlikely.
“Seagrass meadows are extremely sensitive to sedimentation, pollution, and thermal stress. Once a threshold is crossed, recovery is slow—or in some cases, not possible,” she said.
She explained that the proposed marine sanctuary model for Middle Bank is not the same as a marine park.
Instead of imposing blanket restrictions, it allows for zoned and time-regulated activities—striking a balance between conservation and sustainable use.
Tan noted that the sanctuary proposal was deliberately designed to align with infrastructure planning, using zoning and clear regulations to complement development rather than block it.
“Gazettement now means we can implement adaptive management based on the best available science, rather than react after degradation has already occurred,” she said.
“It would help guide mitigation efforts during ongoing development and serve as a living buffer zone for Penang’s coast.”
‘Second Schedule EIA is due diligence’
In response to H’ng’s remarks, Tan said the Second Schedule EIA requirement should not be viewed as a penalty, but as a form of due diligence that ensures projects near ecologically sensitive areas proceed responsibly.
While she acknowledged the regulatory concerns, Tan stressed that these should not be used as a justification to delay the seagrass bed’s protection.
“If a project cannot meet higher environmental standards, then it should not proceed. If it can, then there’s no reason it can’t go ahead with proper safeguards. This isn’t about stopping development—it’s about setting better standards.”
She added that the gazettement proposal was shaped through broad consultations, including with developers, port authorities, and local communities.
Their feedback was incorporated into the zoning framework, which allows activities within scientifically defined limits.
“Projects that already meet high environmental standards won’t face unnecessary delays—they’ll just undergo more rigorous assessment. That’s in the public interest,” she said.
“Middle Bank can be a flagship for Penang’s leadership in climate resilience, sustainable fisheries, and marine biodiversity. Protecting it isn’t about saying ‘no’ to development—it’s about saying ‘yes’ to smarter development.” — June 7, 2025